‘Silicon Valley’ EP Alec Berg on His Crazy ‘Seinfeld’ Connection

If you don’t know Alec Berg by name, you know his work: “Silicon Valley,” “Seinfeld,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” And actually, if you know “Seinfeld” well, you do know his name.

Berg went from writer to character to punchline on May 11, 1995’s “The Face Painter” episode. An actor named Mark DeCarlo played the ficticious “Alec Berg,” who had primo New York Rangers playoff tickets — something that Jerry (Seinfeld) and overzealous New Jersey Devils fan David Puddy (Patrick Warburton) took full advantage of.

“I can always tell when the episode has re-aired, because I’ll get it from somebody,” the real Alec Berg told TheWrap. We’ll explain what “it” is momentarily.

Back in the initial writing phase for that particular episode, Larry David and Seinfeld took full advantage of a running office joke to fill in a script hole. In the halls, the comedians had developed dueling John Houseman impressions, and walked around rattling off material in Oscar-winning British actor’s distinctive accent.

As Berg recalls, it was David who first employed the office-favorite accent to address him: “Alec Buuurg.” Soon, the joke and writer’s name would be on NBC — but Berg wouldn’t learn any of it until the table read.

“It was a complete surprise to me … Literally, it was: ‘Alec Berg Enters,'” he remembered upon reading the stage direction. “I was like, ‘What the f–k is going on?’ It was surreal.”

Berg still has the two pages of mention from his table draft framed on the wall. The “good John Houseman name” label and exaggerated pronunciation would carry over into the scenes.

“To me, the thing that’s sort of most depressing about it, in a weird way, is I would venture that more people know John Houseman because of that, than actually know that he produced the ‘War of the Worlds’ radio telecast and was a phenomenally successful show-business force,” Berg told us. “He was an incredibly traveled, esteemed guy. He wasn’t just the asshole from ‘The Paper Chase’ who did the Smith Barney commercials — he had a real track record.”

25 of 'Seinfeld's' Most Sponge-Worthy Guest Stars in Celebration of 25th Anniversary (Photos)

Bryan Cranston, "Tim Whatley"
Before he was Walter White, Cranston played a dentist with a thing for Elaine. He converted to Judaism for the jokes.

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Phil Morris, "Jackie Chiles"
A clear spoof of Johnny Cochran, the fast-talking Chiles found himself involved in several hair-brained lawsuits, usually involving Kramer. He defended the gang in the finale.

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Larry David, "George Steinbrenner"
The co-creator of "Seinfeld" and eventual "Curb Your Enthusiasm" star played several off-camera roles, most notably that of the late New York Yankees team owner.

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Wayne Knight, "Newman"
Jerry's nemesis and downstairs neighbor was not a very adept mailman. But as buddies with Kramer, he often was embroiled in something that the gang was doing. No one said "Hello" with more venom.

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John O'Hurley, "J. Peterman"
One of Elaine's many bosses -- and possibly the zaniest. Peterman was a bit of an idiot, whose dumbest move may have been leaving his magazine in Elaine's incapable hands.

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Patrick Warburton, "Puddy"
One of Elaine's many boyfriends -- and possibly the zaniest. David Puddy and Elaine were on-again/off-again for 10 episodes. He also wore the best jacket in the show's history: the leather "8-ball" coat.

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Danny Woodburn, "Mickey"
Kramer met Mickey while they were both stand-ins on a sitcom: Cosmo for the dad, and Mickey for the kid. A friendship was born that eventually turned into a rivalry on a double-date.

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Peter Crombie, "'Crazy' Joe Davola"
"Crazy" Joe Davola lived up to his name throughout five "Seinfeld" episodes. As is a common theme of male guest characters, he was a short-time flame of Elaine's. He also sometimes dressed up like a sad clown and beat people up.

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Reni Santoni, "Poppie"
Poppie not only got sloppy, but he also practiced poor hygiene. Do not eat in this man's restaurant.

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Keith Hernandez, "Keith Hernandez"
The New York Mets star played himself on the NBC sitcom. He dated Elaine and asked Jerry to help him move. The latter was too much for the sitcom's protagonist to handle.

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Teri Hatcher, "Sidra"
Hatcher, a one-episode girlfriend of Jerry's, boasts one of the best lines in the sitcom's run: "They're real, and they're spectacular." She was talking about her breasts, which were in question.

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Barney Martin, "Morty Seinfeld"
Jerry's dad made his mark in this world selling raincoats. The Seinfelds and the Costanzas did not get along.

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Liz Sheridan, "Helen Seinfeld"
Mrs. Seinfeld was often kind of just there, never wanting to be a bother to Jerry and always hoping he ended up with a nice girl. That is, until she was charmed by Elaine's "close-talker" boyfriend, Judge Reinhold, who narrowly missed this list.

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Estelle Harris, "Estelle Costanza"
George's mom had a shrill voice that surely helped drive her son away. Still, she was somehow the sane one in her marriage. Kramer "stopped short" with Estelle while driving, which was her husband's go-to romantic move.

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Jerry Stiller, "Frank Costanza"
One of the greatest of the many great contributions of Frank Costanza is Festivus, a Christmas-time holiday "for the rest of us." Festivus was not over until someone pinned Frank.

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Len Lesser, "Uncle Leo"
Uncle Leo was Jerry's closest (in proximity) relative, leading to numerous stumble-upon opportunities throughout New York City. Leo became a thief in his old age and burned off his eyebrows.

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Jeanine Garafolo, "Jeanine"
Remember when Jerry was engaged? No? Well it lasted just one episode, and the break-up was mutual. Seinfeld also broke a pact with George when he called off the marriage.

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Kathy Griffin, "Sally"
Sally turned on her mentor Jerry in a one-woman show that earned her rave reviews. In real life, Griffin has done just fine for herself without material about Seinfeld.

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Steve Hytner, "Kenny Bania"
Bania was a hacky comic in a show that originally centered heavily around Jerry Seinfeld's stand-up comedy career. At some point Bania became a protege of Jerry's, cashing in on a killer Ovaltine bit.

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Sandy Baron, "Jack Klompus"
Klompus served on the Del Boca Vista condo association board, where Morty and Helen lived. Eventually, Kramer would run for the board as a puppet candidate.

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Heidi Swedberg, "Susan Ross"
George Costanza's fiance Susan probably took the easy way out when she died before having to marry the show's resident short, stocky, bald man. Susan met her demise by licking cheap, toxic wedding envelopes.

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Ruth Cohen, "Ruthie Cohen, Monk's Cashier"
Cohen, the cashier at the gang's favorite diner, actually appeared in more than twice as many episodes than anyone else outside of the Big 4, with 101.

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Frances Bay, "Marble Rye Woman"
Bay appeared in a few "Seinfeld" episodes, most famously as the woman that Jerry robbed on the street for her loaf of marble rye bread. But it was all in the name of helping George out.

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Mark Metcalf, "Maestro"
The Maestro insisted on being called "Maestro" because he was a maestro. This prompted Jerry to insist that Elaine call him "Jerry the Great" because he's great.

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Jane Leeves, "Marla"
Reeves appeared on "Seinfeld" right around the same time that her sitcom "Frasier" joined NBC's lineup. Marla was a virgin who played a heavy role in the classic episode, "The Contest."

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1 of 25

It’s been 25 years since the world first met Jerry, Elaine, George and Kramer. In honor of the landmark NBC comedy’s silver anniversary, TheWrap picks its 25 best recurring and guest stars.

Bryan Cranston, "Tim Whatley"
Before he was Walter White, Cranston played a dentist with a thing for Elaine. He converted to Judaism for the jokes.